Apert

Apert is a significant recurring observance within the mathic world. When Apert arrives, the gates are opened under ancient rules: for ten days, avout are free to go out and visitors from extramuros are welcome to come in.

First appearance and context

Apert is referenced during preparations inside a Decenarian math, where work is accelerated to be finished beforehand and senior avout review conditions beyond the walls. On the eve of a new year of the Reconstitution, it is stated that both the Unarian Math and the Decenarian community will celebrate Apert together, with the gates opening for the ten-day interval. In discussion among avout, the expectation is voiced that “more precautions” will be in place at Apert due to concerns about disturbances outside the walls.

Role and function

Apert functions as a fixed deadline that shapes planning, maintenance, and outreach. Different cohorts observe it on different cycles. In the present cycle, Unarians and Decenarians share an imminent opening, while the Centenarians prepare for their rarer occurrence governed by the Centenarian Gate.

Apert also marks intake and progression within the maths: all Collection and most graduations occur during this period. Cohorts such as the Tenners prepare to receive new members, and one Decenarian community expected to admit about forty entrants to maintain a nominal strength of three hundred. Some entrants come up from the Unarian math, while the balance arrive through Collection from extramuros, including the seeking of abandoned newborns in hospitals and shelters. Exceptionally promising One-off cases may graduate early via the labyrinth connecting the Unarian to the Decenarian math, though this has been reported only rarely (three instances within the period described).

Practices and preparations

• Avout gather and secure materials ahead of time, moving items “we really care about” into the labyrinths before the opening.
• Additional security measures are anticipated, with some concern that there may be “roughhousing” on Tenth Night around the opening.
• Following the opening, a formal aut called Eliger is expected, when Tenners take a vow binding them to an order.

Relationships and references

Apert’s outward-facing arrangements intersect with offices and authorities that watch beyond the walls. Within the math, this includes the Warden Fendant; in dealings with outsiders, avout refer to the Saecular Power, sometimes nicknamed “the Panjandrums.”

Current status

Apert is imminent at the close of the current A.R. year for both Unarian and Decenarian communities, with a further opening anticipated later for the Centenarians.